Plague doctors. Is there anything scarier? The sinister black cloak, the wide-brimmed hat, the mask with its bizarre beak. During the plague years of the 14th century, they were hired by towns to tend to the victims. Often, they weren’t even professionally trained or experienced physicians, just low-life quacks and hacks. Their creepy crow-like masks were filled with straw, to act as an air filter, as well as aromatic items like dried flowers, herbs, spices, mint, camphor or a vinegar sponge. The purpose of the mask was to keep away bad smells, which were thought to be the principal cause of the disease. Doctors believed the herbs would counter the “evil” smells of the plague and prevent them from becoming infected. They used wooden canes to point out areas needing attention and to examine patients without touching them. The canes were also used to keep people away, to remove clothing from plague victims without having to touch them, to take a patient’s pulse, and to beat them for their sins (which obviously caused them to become sick). Check out a whole a Tumblr dedicated to pics and illustrations of of plague doctors here, and never sleep again. (via Wikipedia)